While every birthday is a special occasion, there’s something extra-exciting about throwing a first birthday party. It could be the cute decorations, tiny presents or eating cake, but it’s probably just the adorable baby!
If you’re putting together a baby’s birthday party for the first time, it can be a bit stressful. Arranging invitations, planning the menu and wrangling a baby that’s becoming mobile is a lot. So, to make things a bit easier we’ve asked Taste of Home set stylists, bloggers and event planners for some fun first birthday party ideas to give you a head start on your celebration.
Psst: Learn how to make the best birthday cake for the occasion.
Tips for Throwing a First Birthday Party
Before you start planning a first birthday party, there are a few things to consider.
Choosing a Party Theme
When deciding what theme to go with, first decide if it’s going to be for the children or the adults. For the former, you can go with the baby’s favorite book, nursery rhyme or television show, filling the space with familiar characters and bright colors.
For the latter, you can be more creative with the exact theme and color palette. Some fun options include party animals with a variety of barn or zoo animals with pastel colors, honey bee filled with gold and natural brown decorations or popping baby bottles with champagne and bottles of milk for youngsters. Peek these adorable DIY birthday decorations for some more ideas (or learn how to plan a princess party for your little royal)!
Keeping Kids Entertained
If there are going to be a lot of young children at the party, make sure you have something for them to do. If you’re hosting your party outdoors, the fun can be a few basic toys like hula hoops, chalk or outdoor lawn games.
For indoor parties, your space will likely be more limited, so grab a couple coloring books, toys or plan some classic games like hide-and-seek or duck, duck, goose.
Remember Young Palates
While canapes and a specialty cocktail are wonderful for a dinner party, they’re not the most kid-friendly choices. Stack your snack table with finger foods that are safe for kids and toddlers, not to mention a one-year-old. If you need some guidance, take a peek at our food ideas for one-year-olds.
First Birthday Party Ideas
Monsters, Inc. Birthday
Taste of Home/Tricia Pros/Dish Bakery, styled/photographed by Brittany Lynn Studios/ForeverFlowersbyMK/Etsy
No first birthday celebration is complete without a smash cake dedicated to the birthday boy or girl. This cake by Tricia of Dish Bakery captures the fluffy likeness of Sully with two-toned frosting that’s perfect for a little to dig their hands into. Fill out the party with a character-inspired banner, scream canister cut-outs and some adorable customized straws. Our Taste of Home set stylists put these straw decorations together by cutting out oval-shaped pictures, punching a hole at the top and bottom of the picture and sliding them through a patterned paper straw. Throw together some monster munchies and your party is all set.
Barnyard Birthday
Courtesy LittleMissPartyPlanner.com
For this adorable barnyard themed birthday party, Abby Copleston of Little Miss Party softened an industrial event space with farmhouse florals and oversized balloons to create a petting zoo party that didn’t have to worry about the weather.
Additional decorations included plaid tablecloths, a large barn door backdrop for the snack table and themed cups, plates and water bottle labels. Our favorite part might have to be the cow and puppy layer cakes, though!
Little Miss Party makes it easy to recreate this birthday party theme with their farm party in a box. It comes with shaped helium balloons, party blowers, a craft, plates and napkins all in one convenient box.
Some Bunny Is One Birthday
Diana Miranda/Dreamery Events
Speaking of animals, this some ‘bunny’ is one birthday party from Diana Miranda of Dreamery Events will hop right to the top of your list. Not only would this be the perfect way to repurpose Easter decorations (hello, bunny figurines and carrot cutouts!) but the soft pastel color pallet is a great option for a spring or summer celebration. We particularly love the bunny ears and coloring pages for kids and photobooth set up for families to snap a casual portrait.
Recreate Diana’s food spread by busting out the jelly beans, dipping strawberries in orange candy coating to look like carrots and throwing together this simple carrot garden ice cream dessert recipe.
Sesame Street Party
Danisa Betances/ ADAL Kreation
Invite your kiddo’s go-to puppet gang over for a colorful Sesame Street birthday party. This cheery party was put together by Danisa Betances of ADAL Kreation and features a rainbow of balloons, mini activity clipboards for coloring on the go and a clever “tipsy street” bar sign for adults.
Take a page out of Danisa’s book and pull out your child’s Elmo and Big Bird toys to use as decoration around a photo booth or around tables and make your own character cutouts for a photo booth or purchase a few ready-made characters from Etsy. Don’t forget to make a batch or two of these Cookie Monster-worthy chocolate chip cookies for your dessert table!
Alice In One-derland Party
Dinah Wulf & Jennifer Hostetler/ DIY Inspired
Go down the rabbit hole your birthday party to a whole new world with an Alice in Wonderland themed birthday party. Dinah Wulf, the blogger behind DIY Inspired, shared her friend Jennifer Hostetler’s, fun semi-homemade Alice in Wonderland party. The bash was decorated with multicolored, mismatched place settings, centerpieces made from repurposed pretzel containers and playroom tea sets. You can easily pull off an “eat me” sign for your snack table by painting a wooden picture frame, adding a sheet of funky scrapbook paper and writing or using sticker letters for the text. In no time you’ll be singing “A Very Merry Unbirthday” around a White Rabbit cake and a few pots of tea.
Panda-monium Party
Priscilla Choi/Priscilla Choi Fine Photography + Design
If you want a more subtle theme, this panda first birthday photographed by Austin-based Priscilla Choi is just the ticket. Among blue and white hydrangeas, custom banner and patterned noisemakers and party hats are the cutest panda accents. You can pick up the panda candles, balloons and paper goods on Etsy, or try to fashion them yourself. Either way, this first birthday party idea is one of the cuddliest around.
Peaches and Cream Party
Kara/Kara's Party Ideas
For a cute and rustic party, look no further than this Peaches and Cream party by Kara Allen of Kara’s Party Ideas. While we love ways peaches are incorporated in this party, including peach balloons decorating straws and in a garland, peach-shaped cookies and tons of fresh peaches, we’re especially smitten with the rustic look of Kara’s welcome sign (drawn by @letsletterthis) and photo display. To make this photo display, Kara upcycled an old ladder with twine, fresh flowers and clothespins to hang photos of her birthday girl from throughout her first year.
Now that you’re brimming with first birthday party ideas, it’s time to think about the menu. Start off with any of these crowd-favorite recipes.
Unicorn CakeThis magical unicorn cake tastes as good as it looks. Baking in smaller pans creates impressive height, and a few simple decorating tricks turn it into a showstopping dessert. —Lauren Knoelke, Des Moines, Iowa. If you're looking for more recipes, then learn how to make
smash cake.
Guac Crocs & VeggiesI'm all grown-up, but I still love to play with my food. Garbanzo beans in the guacamole add taste, texture and nutrition. The croc part is just plain fun. —Kallee Krong-Mccreery, Escondido, California
Ham and Cheese PuffsThese tasty little bites go over well with kids. They're also delicious with soups or as
party appetizers. —Mrs. Marvin Buffington, Burlington, Iowa
Rhubarb Citrus PunchRhubarb grows abundantly in our large farm garden. I'll make this punch for summertime gatherings or for special occasions with our extended family. —Ina Frey, St. Clemens, Ontario
Savory Party BreadIt's impossible to stop nibbling on warm pieces of this cheesy, oniony bread. The sliced loaf fans out for a fun presentation. It's one of the best savory appetizers I've found. —Kay Daly, Raleigh, North Carolina
Tangy Barbecue WingsI took these slow-cooked wings to work, and they vanished before I even got a bite! The tangy sauce is lip-smacking good. —Sherry Pitzer, Troy, Missouri
Pinwheel PopsMy mom used to make pinwheels every Christmas, and I still love them. They are so colorful, and perfect for sharing in gift boxes.—Jill Heatwole, Pittsville, Maryland
Pepperoni Roll-UpsHere is a fast recipe that always goes over well at my house. Each bite has gooey melted cheese and real pizza flavor. Try serving them with pizza sauce for dipping. —Debra Purcell, Safford, Arizona
Mini Sausage PiesThe simple ingredients and family-friendly flavor of these little sausage cups make them a go-to dinner favorite. And everyone gets their own pies—which makes them even better! —Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida
Rainbow StrawberriesDip fresh strawberries in melted candy-coated discs to create a rainbow of color. Or get adventurous and make a unicorn. The creative possibilities are endless. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sweet Potato-Crusted Chicken NuggetsI was looking for ways to spice up traditional chicken nuggets and came up with this recipe. The chips add a crunchy texture and flavor, while the meat is tender on the inside. —Kristina Segarra, Yonkers, New York
Texas Taco Dip PlatterWhen I'm entertaining, this colorful dish is my top menu choice. My friends can't resist the hearty appetizer topped with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and olives. —Kathy Young, Weatherford, Texas
Chocolate-Dipped Ice Cream Cone CupcakesI created this recipe based on our family's love of chocolate-dipped ice cream cones. Red heart-shaped sprinkles make them fun for Valentine's Day. Vary the color to match the occasion. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Celebration PunchThis pretty fruit punch has just the right amount of sweetness. The ice ring keeps it cool for hours without diluting the flavor.
—Marci Carl, Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania
Bacon-Wrapped SmokiesThese cute little bacon-wrapped smokies are finger-licking good. They have a sweet and salty taste that's fun for breakfast or as an appetizer. —Cara Flora, Kokomo, Indiana
Pineapple Iced TeaWe have a large family, so we go through beverages quickly at our house. This thirst-quenching tea is simple to mix together and has a sparkling citrus flavor we all enjoy. —K. Kitell, Lenexa, Kansas
Crispy Baked WontonsThese quick, versatile wontons are great for a savory snack or paired with a bowl of soothing soup on a cold day. I usually make a large batch, freeze half on a floured baking sheet, then store in an airtight container. —Brianna Shade, Beaverton, Oregon
Amazing Mac & Cheese PizzaI love pizza, and I love macaroni and cheese. After lots of experimenting, I figured out a wonderful way to combine the two. The pizza is a big hit among my colleagues, friends and family! —Martha Muellenberg, Vermillion, South Dakota
Giant Peanut Butter Ice Cream SandwichI created this giant peanut butter cookie cake for my husband, adding light and low-fat products to the cookie dough. It was so fantastic that I fixed it with conventional ingredients for guests. Since it can be made ahead of time and frozen, it cuts stress for busy hostesses. And really, who doesn't love peanut butter ice cream? —Joann Belack, Bradenton, Florida
Muffin-Tin LasagnasThis is a super fun way to serve lasagna for make-ahead lunches, potlucks or other fun get-togethers. My daughter took some of these to work and by noon was emailing me for the recipe. —Sally Kilkenny, Granger, Iowa
Glazed Doughnut HolesHere's a simple recipe to create a colorful and fun breakfast—or snack! For the glaze, use any type of juice you like. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Bacon Cream Cheese PinwheelsIt's hard to resist a crescent roll, bacon and cream cheese in one bite! Kids, friends,
everyone will scarf these cream cheese pinwheels down. Now I bake a double batch whenever we have a get-together. —Krista Munson, Sharpsburg, Kentucky
Heavenly Surprise CupcakesThe recipe for these filled and frosted cupcakes was handed down by my mother-in-law, who taught this fledgling cook what to do in the kitchen. She's no longer with us, but baking these treats reminds me of our good times together. —Judie Heiderscheit, Holy Cross, Iowa
Mediterranean Tomato BitesMy friend Mary served these lovely appetizers at a summer gathering several years ago, and I adapted it a bit to my taste. It's a great August recipe when tomatoes and herbs are at their freshest! —Susan Wilson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mini S'moresWant to sink your teeth into s’mores all year long? Here’s the answer! Just combine marshmallow creme, chocolate and graham crackers for an awesome bite.—Stephanie Tewell, Elizabeth, Illinois
Aussie Sausage RollsI was born and raised in Australia, but moved to the U.S. when I got married. When I long for some Australian recipes, I bake up a batch of this sausage roll recipe and share them with neighbors or co-workers. —Melissa Landon, Port Charlotte, Florida
Lemony Snack MixI'm on a gluten-restricted diet. I came up with this snack mix one day when I wanted something fast and easy that tasted like lemon bars. It makes a great gift, and folks love the light and fresh citrus flavor. —Patricia Sensenich, Olanthe, Kansas
Mini Mac & Cheese DogsWe wanted to get creative with hot dogs, so we made a mac-and-cheesy one. Pile on the extra cheese, relish and even bacon. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Mini Grilled CheeseIf you're looking for a fantastic make-ahead snack, try these miniature grilled cheese sandwiches. They're nice to have in the freezer for lunch with soup or a salad. My family loves to nibble on them anytime. —Anita Curtis, Camarillo, California
Homemade Butterfly CakeImpress guests by making an adorable and delicious cake. It is actually easy to put together.—Bonnie Jost, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Frozen Chocolate Monkey TreatsEveryone needs a fun, friendly way for kids to play with food. These rich bites are nutty and yummy. Just coat bananas in chocolate and dip them into peanuts, sprinkles or coconut. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
Ravioli Appetizer PopsRavioli on a stick is a tasty appetizer everyone talks about. They’re simple and fun to make and eat. Use packaged dipping sauces, or make your own. Get my recipes on my blog, thehopelesshousewife.com. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona
Up Next: How to Throw an Amazing Dinosaur-Themed Birthday Party
